Angels Fall First: Damnation + Salvation

With each step he knew death drew close.1

With each step he knew everything will change.2

With each step one object, grew larger and larger. A great looming structure hiding in the distance, blue eyes, ringed with crackling haze of light. 3

Heaven’s Gate.4

So he decided with his final step…5

He will save her.6

“You are a fool to the bitter end…”7

A cold voice echoed. 8

Slowly the sky began to fade. What little light that escaped to the ground distort as Mandela after Mandela began to appear, inscribing themselves mercilessly within the fabric of reality. In each center, emerged white ethereal wings, and armor that refracted every color like prisms…Heaven’s Army.9

On the ground in front of him, one lone Mandela remained. The rift was far away yet he could see the enemy all too clear. A golden knight whose armor rang with every step. Piercing eyes that stared directly at his.10

“Raphael.”11

“Once you made a pledge to protect this world. Was it all a lie?”12

Lucian did not reply.13

“Answer me! Why did you betray us?”14

“You already know why.”15

“Gaia came to the Gate willingly, still you tried to interfere. That time I had no choice but to stop you. But now, I regret not killing you instead!16

“You once thought me. To fight for personal interest or grudges is forbidden but when it comes to ones differing beliefs we should be willing to risk our lives. Right now I am fighting for my belief.”17

“And that belief is?”18

“To take and collect your souls and free Gaia from Heaven’s Gate.”19

Raphael tightens his hand into a fist out of frustration. Has Lucian become so different? Lucian’s voice, his eyes, his being, all of it were only filled with scorn and hatred. Has his soul fallen so far?20

“Let me ask you one last time.” Two swords appeared in his hand. “Will you forsake Heaven to save her?”21

Though he asked…22

“Yes.”23

He already knew his answer.24

“So be it.” 25

With that reply Raphael immediately released his power as arrows of light shot toward the dark angel. 26

“In Heaven’s name, you Lucian are hereby to be executed!”27

With one step…28

“Then come…”29

With a blink of an eye, with a swing of his hand, a sword came forth, slashing against the spear, slicing through its surface. 30

The ground trembled beneath their feet, rocks dissolved red-brown as their swords struck.31

Raphael struggled as his hands were raised blocking Lucian’s blade. 32

“And kill me!”33

Such power…he was no longer the Lucian he once knew. Raphael’s twin swords began to crack. But all he could do for that fleeting moment was look into his opponents eyes. How many has he already killed? How many more souls does he plan to take? 34

The two swords break, Raphael leaped backward. 35

Both his hands glowed. 36

Only one answer popped in his mind. 37

Two swords again appeared. 38

This angel was no longer Lucian.39

In a single motion with lightning speed he hurled the two swords. Lucian reacted in an instant, hands raised, he stabbed his blade into the ground, a circle of flame came gushing fort, surrounding him in a wall of fire. The two swords flew, spinning, and struck the flame, exploding like twin stars. 40

The sounds of falling debris now echoed. The shards melt, dispersing in a sea of color.41

With a leap of his hands, he tore away his demonic sword from the ground, still crackling in red light, Lucian ran straight for Raphael. 42

The army immediately began to spread out, surrounding him in every turn.43

Hands extended, in all directions, energy shot from their palms.44

Lucian stops, engulfed by dust as the beams block his path.45

And at that moment, everything seemed to happen in an instant.46

The sky began to shift, darkness began to descend over their world.47

All they could hear was the enemy’s blade. A loud crash. Wet drops of blood splatter from the clouds. A bone-rattling shriek shattered the air, as Lucian dived straight through the soldiers below. The speed was so fast that even those from the distance could not see their brethren die. 48

Taken by surprise, somehow they pressed on with their attack, releasing a hail of spells. 49

Arrow’s of light from the left.50

Spears of ice from below and above.51

Lucian blocks, repels and twists his body as he descends. 52

But as he falls, Raphael advances, immediately he again summons his twin swords, spurring great amounts of his energy into each blade. Though bullets rained from the sky still the golden light runs to meet his enemy.53

Their gaze met only for an instant.54

Ignoring all forms of logic Raphael swung his twin swords.55

Coming down from the rain of arrows, the swords sparked on contact. 56

The first Raphael feels as his consciousness returns was pain.57

Armor slowly began to disintegrate. Skin that was protected by armor was now chipping away as fire, wind and ice pierce through their body. 58

His men slowly began to stop their attack.59

“Keep firing!”60

The order was made, not one of his men hesitates and released another barrage of spells. 61

Clashing sounds could be heard within this storm. Steel against steel colliding against each other. Each attack they would dodge, each thrust they would block, each blow would thunder louder than the last. Both their bodies were now deep in wounds, charred by flame. Breathing hard, already Raphael felt his wrist began to split. 62

At that moment a small opening. His reaction delayed, Raphael can only block as the huge blow flung him away. 63

Raphael slides through the ground. 64

Lucian follows in pursuit. 65

Raphael swings his left sword.66

A miss. 67

At that moment a crimson blade appears from behind.68

Raphael could sense death run up his spine. 69

He won’t make it. 70

He won’t be able to dodge.71

With that before him.72

“Raphael!”73

He heard a shout. 74

He felt hands push him away. 75

And before his eyes he saw one of his men split in two. 76

“No!” 77

A whirlwind of blades now danced in the battlefield. And within this whirlwind Raphael’s men fight without thought, sparking clashes increasing in rhythm without pause. 78

Comrade after comrade, with clenched fist Raphael saw them die. This was no longer a battle, all it was, was a massacre! Everything was in disarray. He ordered them that he would fight him alone. But he could only grit his teeth. For if they hadn’t interfered, he would already be dead. 79

Just a bit more, and it will be complete. Faint lines on the ground began to glow. If they can hold off Lucian in this one spot this will all be over.80

“Damn you!”81

Raphael runs, his speed is like that of a shooting star. 82

“Lucian!”83

A golden light dashes to the enemy that betrayed them. 84

In the chaos Lucian cuts through each of their armor, killing them with every strike. Raphael’s presence was again felt. Breaking free from the soldiers Lucian thrust his sword to what appears to be empty space, only to crash into Raphael’s blade, flinging the golden angel back.85

But as Raphael hits the ground, he jumps back at Lucian. Attacking with all his power.86

A strong blow, with this one blow Lucian was somehow driven to his knees. 87

Lucian tried to deflect it only to feel a second strike hit, throwing him to the side. 88

They all noticed it, Lucian was slowing down. Raphael knew it from the start. No matter how many souls Lucian collects, there is a limit on how much he could use in battle.89

Concentrating strength into his fingers, grasping his sword, Lucian stands, coughing violently. 90

A flurry of swords came in sight.91

The first tried to strike at his right.92

As soon as Lucian defends against it, another charges in from the front. Lucian twist his body to avoid it. Only to sense Raphael approach at his left. Lucian tries to block the weapon approaching his neck with his gauntlet, concentrating energy in its plate.93

But it’s useless.94

The two swords go through, stopping only at his bone. Lucian repels their attack as a curtain of fire surrounds his body. 95

They back away. The distance widens. 96

The flames disperse. A gust of wind was felt.97

Even as cracks run through every plate of his armor protecting him. Lucian steps up, opposing them with all the power he has left. 98

Chaos of light rumble wildly in the field.99

Still the dark angel fights…even if there was no chance of winning. Somehow Raphael felt that Lucian had no other choice but to fight. 100

The crash of swords push them all away, creating a boundary in space. 101

Immediately he saw Lucian lower his stance. He won’t stop attacking, even if faced with death. 102

At this rate, Lucian will lose before the Mandela itself could be complete. 103

Neither one looks away, closing into each other with every step.104

All they could hear was the sound of their heart. Neither one take notice of the rumbling of their world or the glow surrounding them. 105

The one they must defeat is right in front of them.106

This was never a fight against Heaven. 107

For them…108

This was a fight to save their different beliefs! 109

That’s why, neither one can let the other live. 110

Raphael placed both hands together, combining the swords into one long blade.111

“It ends here!”112

Lucian blocks, his sword brakes, and cuts through his right shoulder. The shock smashes him a few meters away. 113

Immediately his men flew above, the air around them seemed to feel dry as if the waters within were drained. Suddenly countless spears of ice fell.114

In that instant splashes of blood.115

Shards of ice now lacerate into Lucian’s body. Unable to move.116

“Everyone get back!” Raphael commanded.117

The Mandela was finally complete. 118

The army retreat.119

Magical energy wrenched open from the ground. Exploding in a fountain of red, white and silver light, creating a crater of jagged stone, as Lucian lay trapped in a cocoon of ice.120

The golden angel rushed forward and threw himself headlong into the center of the crater.121

Five crystal stones circled on Raphael’s hand. The stones disperse and lay on top of the crater. Tapping the ground with his feet, he leaped on top of the stones. The gems resonate, a thin sheet of energy spread, forming a barrier on what lay beneath.122

A dislocation runs through space.123

A golden star now roared through the sky, a swirl of destruction now concentrated in every edge as he lowered his sword. With one slash the sword hits the sheet, amplifying the power a thousand fold. A waterfall of light now surged to the angel below. A storm of destruction that will destroy everything in its path, eliminating all with its power. 124

…125

From the beginning he knew it was a trap. Still he came. 126

In the center of the crater, he saw Raphael form his most powerful sword, pouring every ounce of magic energy left into it.127

Then he saw the shield hover over him.128

Heaven’s Wrath…129

It has no name but somehow that’s what he saw before him. It was a fitting name he thought as Raphael lowers his sword.130

His legs were heavy.131

His heart about to explode from pain and fatigue.132

Just a bit more. If he could only move just a bit more. Everything will end if he could beat him. 133

The light hits. 134

The ice breaks.135

His skin burns. His muscles tear away every time he moves as if he was being thorn by pieces of glass. 136

He bears the pain.137

He has to get up!138

He knew he can’t beat them. In his current state he can never beat them. And yet only one image burned in his mind.139

“Gaia…”140

Her name is the only thing keeping him alive. 141

He reaches out with his one hand through sheer will alone. 142

Gaia…143

The one thought that fills his mind.144

He looks up.145

Within the blur.146

In his fading consciousness stands a girl, with eyes so dark as if devoid of life. 147

“I ask you, angel. Why do you fight?”148

And the girl lets out a familiar voice. 149

He remembers… 150

It was her.151

The question shields his mind from the pain.152

This one event that changed his life forever. 153

“Why do you try so hard to protect me?154

At that time he felt only grief, for he realized the paradise he has grown accustomed to was a lie. For in order to keep that paradise, he must protect this tool until the time comes that she must enter Heaven’s Gate. But something within him wavers, was she a mere tool? 155

That’s right.156

In there short time together, he found happiness, he found purpose, he found that his wish was here before him. 157

Does he protect her out of selfishness? Does he protect her to preserve his happiness? Yet all his life he tried to make himself happy, but found it all to be empty. Yet why now? With her one smile alone. He feels satisfied. To know that she exist was enough. A small desire. But he felt it was the most selfish desire of all. 158

It is for that reason…159

“So that I can always see you smile.”160

That’s the only reason he come up with. Somehow words alone cannot express what he really wanted to say. Such a word has yet to exist. And even if it did, he doubts that it alone can express how he truly feels for her.161

At that moment…before her image disappears from his sight. He remembered her utter one last thing.162

“But I exist, only to save you.”163

All thought disappears.164

Still he raises his arm that should not be moving.165

He raises his hand as if to grab something. Even as his strength leaves him. Even as his vision slowly dissolve into the light he still reaches out.166

With his one hand he tries to touch her hand. His heart is already pushed to its limit. It cries in pain telling him to let go, to give up. 167

So he gives in…168

If he can’t save her in life. Then…169

His heartbeat now becomes a faint whisper.170

He will save her in his death…171

His heart stops.172

He will take her place…173

His eyes haze. 174

He looks deep within his soul…175

He unlocks the seal. The one seal that should not be broken. The one sin no one was allowed to commit. 176

The door opens. Entering into a world were nothing exist. 177

His mind fades and only one small flicker of light remained. In exchange for his soul, one small, selfish wish was carved on its surface. 178

“Save her.”179

The one remaining fragment of his consciousness was all that’s left. Once it’s engulfed by darkness his mind will die. But it’s enough. If he can maintain his sanity long enough he can gain enough power to release her from Heaven’s Gate. 180

And with that final breath…his world crumbles apart.181

…182

The golden angel bearing the sword could only look in awe183

His sword was still emitting and bringing forth destruction. But something was surging against the spire of light. 184

The stones forming the shield resonate wildly. Cracks run through the magical surface protecting him.185

“H-how…”186

It breaks.187

The overflowing energy cannot be controlled, breaking the pillars foundation. 188

Raphael lands on the ground, as fragments trickle from the sky. 189


…190


There before the light an outstretched hand.191

There was no turning back. He’ll bear it, even near death, he will bear it. 192

With open eyes, the darkness was released.193

There was only two fears and one possible regret. To lose his mind before his body, to lose his sanity before fulfilling his promise. Those were the only fears he had and if he fails…that will be his only regret which will taint what remains of his soul forever.194

The atonement lies here. He has betrayed his people and many lives were lost. But this one oath is the only thing he is not willing to give up.195

His will was all he had left.196

And so with his one outstretched hand… he makes his pledge.197

“Then I shall be the one to save you.”198

His mind began to accelerate.199

“Even if Heaven itself will not protect you.”200

Crackles and sparks everything was now alight201

“Because…”.202

And his weapon created without concentration, without thought appeared in that one hand.203

The world completely changed.204

“W-what?”205

As he consumes all the light. 206

“I am your sword.”207

H e stands and raised his head.208

“Impossible…”209

His body is on the verge of death. Slashed and broken, his beating heart had already stopped. Yet with so much determination Lucian moves his dying body. His sword, regains its image. 210

Because he believes…211

He believes that he would reach her if he keeps running, as long as he moves forward, he can reach her.212

And as Raphael readies for an attack. He felt there swords already clash.213

Such unbelievable speed.214

Raphael can only look on in shock.215

“Where is his power coming from…”216

His attacks were unlike before.217

Up and down left and right. Lucian lashes as if blinded by rage.218

The space was now filled with sparks, it felt as if anything entering that space will be cut to pieces.219

With each attack Lucian looses more blood, yet he still holds his ground220

“Why?!”221

Lucian can no longer hear his opponents words.222

“There is no power left in you? Yet why do you still fight!”223

His muscles are screaming. No conscience to guide him but still he fights. With every step, he will save her. With every step, he must save her! 224

Those words were the only thought driving his dying body. Shouting it not only for Raphael, not only for Heaven, but even for Gaia to hear.225

“I am your shield!”226

Lucian will not fall.227

“I will ally myself to darkness!”228

The dying angel frantically opposes the obstacle in front of him229

“I will forsake the light!230

Raphael realized Lucian will not stop.231

“This is my oath!232

He won’t stop even as his body is in the verge of death.233

“This is my promise!”234

Realizing that, Raphael can do nothing235

“For I am your Angel!!!” 236

Sword against sword.237

“Why? Why won’t you give up!”238

Never stopping. Never thinking. Still Lucian moves forward. Ever closer, with each step.
The instant he sees the gate he will save her!239

The sounds of swords crashing echoes through the world.240

Lucian was not the greatest…never the most powerful…never the most skilled. Then what was it that keeps him going? Where does his power come from? They knew it was not from the souls. Souls alone only give power. But there is no being in all of Heaven that could contain so much. So how?241

“How can you possibly endure it all!”242

Magic swirls of energy now rages across the field. There seemed to be no end to his overwhelming power.243

Raphael charges in at Lucian like a golden bullet.244

The two weapons clash. Yet Lucian received the blow like it was nothing as he repelled Raphael’s sword. The attack made with all his strength…no longer mattered.245

Raphael steps back.246

Only for Lucian’s sword to attack him like surging waves of fire.247

Each attack executed to take the wielders neck.248

No hesitation, only strikes that intend to kill.249

The red demonic sword breaks through Raphael’s defenses each time its thrust.250

A strained voice escapes Raphael’s mouth251

Even his eyes cannot follow Lucian’s attack.252

The red swords movement was a flash of light; he could no longer discern the blade coming at him.253

Lucian’s movements were becoming invisible now.254

The first attack was aimed to chop of his head255

The second attack was aimed at his heart to destroy his body.256

The weapons clash harder than before257

The two spring apart in a shower of sparks, nullifying each other out.258

His long sword cannot take anymore of this...259

Then he hears it…260

Not only the echoing of the swords261

Lucian utters his oath every time he attacks.262

That’s right…in the end…Lucian is still Lucian. His desire to save others…he is still doing it now…at least for one.263

He blocks the oncoming attack.264

His blade was already crumbling.265

His body was nearly succumbing to the force of his blows.266

A long time ago he has asked him who he wanted to save. Lucian never replied. Because at that time he didn’t know the answer. Until now.267

Unable to deflect the full impact, his weapon shatters and falls to the ground.268

But he can’t give up. Because he too has something to save. So he refuses to fall. His hands glow, there is no time to turn back. His twin swords appeared as Raphael runs full speed.269

But he stops. All his senses freeze.270

His world has changed, replaced by visions of fire. Innumerable souls grieving and suffering in an almost infinite plain of ashen rain.271

“This is…” Raphael can only watch the dark angel in horror. “What have you done!?”272

It was now finally clear…his power, his strength lay within this world. In the end Lucian traded his soul to become Hell itself. A devour of souls. A being who lust only for power. Once cast the user’s mind will forever succumb to madness. 273

“Why do you wish for such an end? Even if you do this…she will not be saved!”274

“She will be saved.”275

Numerous souls appear in front of his eyes, surrounding Lucian as if accepting him as their master.276

“And all our sins will be paid for with our lives!”277

...278

To be continued...